What is GIMP?

Pattern used by permission from Deborah Carter+

GIMP is an open-source, powerful image editing program available to anyone free of charge. It's cross-platform, which menas it is avaiable for Windows, Mac, and Linux (it actually started out as a Linux program years ago).

Visit the home page at: www.gimp.org

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GIMP is a complex and sophisticated photo editing tool. While it can't quite compare with Photoshop feature to feature, it is nontheless a powerful tool that is capable of producing amazing results.

In fact, many freelance designers and photographers use GIMP professionally (myself included).

GIMP can be further enhanced by the use of plugins. Plugins are software "add ons" that increase the functionality of GIMP.

The image shown above was edited by converting it to black and white, and then using a layer mask to selectivley colorize it . This lesson is covered in the book using a different image.

This image used by permission, and is the property of Mark Wyatt (a great friend since 1978).